Glamorosi's Garden - June 2011: Swallowtail Caterpillars, Mystery Lilies and Missing Maples

By REESE AMOROSI

Last year I decided to attract more pollinators to our vegetable and herb garden by adding flowering perennials including roses, which I have a passion for, as well as milkweed aka butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). I immediately saw an increase in winged creatures buzzing and flitting around the blooms. The new additions made it through the winter and they are thriving.

Then last week I got a nice surprise; my butterfly weed, dill and parsley plants were loaded with Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars (at first I thought they were Monarchs). A few days later, I saw one going into the chrysalis stage. I was lucky to catch him in the act or I might not have recognized it – it looks just like an unfurled leaf. I know some people create butterfly environments and bring the chrysalis indoors so they can monitor the process, but I'm leaning toward leaving it alone and letting Mother Nature do her thing. I'm open to advice if any of you have experienced this.

UPDATE: A butterfly emerged from the chrysalis 19 days later on July 8, 2011; you can view the photos here.

Meanwhile, my Mother has a friend whose flower beds are overrun with lilies. He dug up some bulbs and sent them to me, but he didn't remember what type or color they were. I planted them immediately and they grew tall and leafy, then finally flower buds formed. They are going to open any day now, and I cannot wait to see what they look like.

And then there is the sad tale of the maple tree. We’ve lived in this house for eleven years, and over time we've watched as our neighbor’s tree grew up and over our three-story house, ripping out our electrical wires and smashing against our house during storms, its leaves clogging everyone’s drains, its roots tearing up the sidewalk… Despite it all, we loved that tree. It was old and beautiful and shielded our brick house from extreme heat and cold.

Years ago we asked the city to *prune* the tree, but nothing happened. Then, two days ago, while sleeping au natural with the windows open (the tree completely blocked the view in and out), we were awakened by the sound of buzz saws. I opened my eyes to see sunlight streaming into the room and a man on a cherry picker about ten feet away from me.

Apparently the city determined it was a dangerous tree and sent contractors cut it down. Without notice or warning, fifty years of growth was felled in less than hour. A second truck with a giant claw came by and took the trunk away, and it was like the tree never existed. I cried buckets.

One of the contractors told me the city will be replacing the sidewalk, and then they’ll plant a sapling. For this I am thankful – the pavement is a mess – and I am extremely happy a new tree will be planted. I'm crossing my fingers for a Hawthorne or a cherry tree; they are abundant in this area and they are lovely. I just really wish something could have been done to save the maple. We miss her.

Photos by Glamorosi except tree removal truck by A.D. Amorosi

To read more posts about food, fashion, art and entertainment: GlamorosiMagazine.com

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Mémé Restaurant - Guest Chefs and Foodie Events in a Comfortable Setting

Glamorosi and Chef David Katz at Mémé

By GLAMOROSI

Chef David Katz named his restaurant Mémé after a Moroccan word that means “grandmother”. Last week’s Mémé at Mémé Dinner held on Wednesday, June 15th, was named because his Mother (his son's Mémé), Suzanne Katz, was there to oversee a special menu that featured dishes from her birthplace, Morocco (she moved to the States at age 13). Mother and son cooked together before, back when she and a then teen-aged David worked at Ment's Seafood in Cape May, NJ.

Guests assembled at communal tables for a meal that included several vegetable salads, potato pastels with a ground beef center, pea and potato stew, lamb and turnip tagine with prunes and almonds, grilled merguez with cous cous and baked cod with heirloom tomato and lemon. Dishes were seasoned with fresh herbs and spices including parsley, cumin, and turmeric. The finale was a decadent almond-apricot cigar with orange blossom honey served with fragrant cups of hot, sweet mint tea.

This wasn't our first time at Mémé – we’ve been there on several occasions including a particularly memorable meal… Back in 2008 while on our way to set up my booth at a jewelry show, A.D. and I were in a car accident. We were very banged up and still a bit traumatized a week later when we went on our first post-crash outing to celebrate my birthday at Mémé. We were giddy because the food was so delicious (roasted beets, duck breast), and giggling because we were so happy to be alive and doing something normal again.

Chef Katz came over and sat with us before our dessert (yummy brown butter cake). As we recounted the details of our accident, it dawned on me that the relaxed (but elegant) atmosphere of the 40-seat restaurant combined with Katz' personality had the feel of dining with family. That’s my impression of Mémé - it’s comfortable, like home. Shortly after that night, I stopped by the Mémé website and discovered that was exactly the vibe Chef Katz was going for when he opened his restaurant.

They are currently taking reservations for Monday, July 18th, when Chef Katz presents Mémé’s 3rd Annual Pig Dinner. The five-course meal will feature dishes by an impressive roster of Philly's star chefs: Matt Levin (Adsum), Michael Solomonov (Zahav), Peter Woolsey (Bistrot La Minette), Terence Feury (Fork), Monica Glass (10 Arts Bistro), John Taus (The Corner), Jennifer Carroll (10 Arts Bistro), and also sommelier Michael Madrigale (Bar Boulud NYC).

For information and reservations:

Mémé Restaurant
2201 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.735.4900

Photo of Glamorosi and David Katz ©A.D. Amorosi 2011

To read my previous post about the One Night in Morocco Dinner at Zahav Restaurant with with Chefs David Katz (Mémé) and Michael Solomonov (Zahav) click here.

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Great Chefs Event Benefitting Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation - Philadelphia, PA

Chef Marc Vetri at the Great Chefs Event

By REESE AMOROSI

On Tuesday, June 14, forty chefs from around the world moved into the Urban Outfitters Headquarters at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, PA for The Great Chefs Event to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). The foundation was born in 2000 when cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004), age 4 at the time, opened a lemonade stand to raise money to help children with cancer.

The Great Chefs Event is run by The Vetri Foundation for Children. Philadelphia-based Chef Marc Vetri, shown above, launched the event six years ago as a result of his affiliation with ALSF.

This was my first time attending The Great Chefs Event; I was there working as a photographer with my journalist husband, A.D. Amorosi, who was covering the show. We got to meet, hang out with and sample food from award-winning chefs whose knowledge and skills I have long admired on television, in magazines and in cookbooks. We ate everything from swordfish tacos from Colicchio & Sons to green tea cake from Chef Daniel Stern. The photos below show some of the highlights.

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I'll try almost anything twice, but there are some things that truly make me squeamish. Oysters are one of those things. However, this year I am on a mission to expand my seafood repertoire by eating and cooking a wider variety of it (hence, the fish cooking class I took and told you about a few posts ago).

So, when I saw the table full of lovely oysters I knew I had to go for it. It was wonderful! The gentlemen who made the oysters - Chefs Clark Frasier and Mark Gaier - are pioneers in the farm-to-table movement. They co-own several restaurants including Arrows in Maine where they grow more than 300 varieties of herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables, make their own cheese and cure their own meats and fish.

To commemorate the experience, Chef Frasier gave me a little lobster-shaped pin. So nice! I would love to dine at Arrows (or move in, it sounds heavenly) but for now I want to read their books, The Arrows Cookbook and their new one, Maine Classics.

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Chef Katsuya Fukushima had one of my favorite dishes of the evening - it was a spiced key lime crowned with a scallop and a fluff of cotton candy. Chef Fukushima instructed us to eat the scallop and cotton candy in one bite, and then suck on the lime as if we were doing shots of tequila. It was sweet and salty and spicy and scrumptious.

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Hello, Beautiful! That's Chef Anne Burrell on the left. We watch her Emmy-nominated show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef on the Food Network, and we learn something new with every epidode. Not only does Chef Burrell have excellent punk hair, but she rocks a pair of super-cool faux giraffe clogs.

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That's Chef Robert Aikens on the left with his crew from The Dandelion, a British-style pub and one of our favorite restaurants by Stephen Starr (go on a Sunday or Banker's Holiday and have the traditional roast dinner. Have an elderflower soda, too). The hors d'oeuvres on the table in front of them are salmon paté. It was outstanding.

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That's my handsome husband A.D. in the photo with Chef Jennifer Carroll of Bravo's Top Chef and 10 Arts, Eric Ripert's restaurant in Philly. I normally don't fall into that mode of feeling like I know someone just because I see them on TV, but I found myself calling her "Jen" over and over like we were old friends. She is a serious competitor on TV of course, but very laid back and friendly in person. I had the best time taking her picture, and I made her laugh when I asked to photograph her rooster feather-festooned ponytail.

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That's me with 2010 Top Chef Winner Kevin Sbraga - he was at the show helping at Chef Michael Schwartz' station (see below). I've never eaten Chef Sbraga's food, but I may get a chance to try it soon when he opens his restaurant in Philly - read A.D.'s post in Philadelphia City Paper's Meal Ticket column for the scoop

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This dish is from Chef Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine Food and Drink in Miami, Florida. It is scrapple, a quail egg and greens on top of the most flavorful apple sauce I have ever tasted. Chef Schwartz told A.D. he is currently scoping out locations in Philly (rumor has it it may be the 600 N. Broad space shared by Marc Vetri and Stephen Starr, among others).

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When there is amazing food involved, chances are that our Italian Market neighbors - DiBruno Bros. House of Cheese - will be there. Their famously well-stocked shop sells gourmet goodies and ingredients from around the globe. Ask anyone, DiBruno's rules. That's Emilio Mignucci and Ian Peacock standing with the wine and cheese.

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The Great Chefs Event was one of the most memorable nights of my foodie life; I cannot wait for next year's show!

All Photos by Reese Amorosi (aka Glamorosi) and A.D. Amorosi

To read more posts about food, tea, fashion, gardening and events: http://Glamorosi.blogspot.com

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Glendi Fashion Show at Opa Restaurant - Philadelphia PA

On Thursday, June 9, A.D. (my husband) and I headed out to Opa, a new-ish Greek restaurant in the Midtown Village section of Philadelphia. We were there to attend an outdoor fashion show that served as the premiere of Glendi Thursdays, a series of events at Opa that will showcase fashion, art, music and photography. Glendi means "party" or "celebration" in Greek.

Before the show we enjoyed a fantastic dinner. A.D. had the grilled octopus with chick peas (shown at right) and wine braised rabbit with olives, capers and pasta; I had Saganaki (seared cheese) and chicken with couscous and sun dried tomatoes. For dessert we shared baklava with homemade fig ice cream. A.D. had a delicious cocktail called Antho made of cucumber vodka, lemon and fresh dill, and I had a sparkling rosé.

Our waiter was friendly and knew the menu inside and out. He told us about the decor too - Opa was made to resemble what you would see in downtown Athens. It reminded me of 60's cool (the pendant lamps and geometric wallpaper) and 70's rustic (the wonderful tree branch canopy over the bar). We had the best table in the house - right next to the window - where we could see the whole restaurant (before it got packed).

We also had full view of the downpour and lightning storm that started just as the runway was being set up on Sansom Street. But, as Cinefest's Thom Cardwell - who co-hosted with NBC10 correspondent G-N Kang - told the crowd, the Greek gods weren't going to allow a cancellation on Opa's big night. The storm passed and the oppressive heat and famous Philly humidity went with it.

We took our seats at the end of the catwalk and took in the scene which included familiar faces from Philly's fashion and entertainment scene such as Good Day Philadelphia (Fox 29) host Mike Jerrick, Philadelphia Inquirer style maven Elizabeth Wellington and Where Magazine editor Kristina Jenkins.

The show was produced by Noel Zayas Events along with Antoine Johnson, whose House of Talent PA agency provided the gorgeous models, some with cool braided mohawks by Francesca at Follicle Salon. My favorite clothing designs were the bold, feminine pieces by Carmelita Couture including two fabulous frocks I am absolutely *in love* with: a flowing leopard gown and a colorful chevron stripe gown.

For their last walk of the night the models rocked the runway in Opa t-shirts, and then the final model strutted her stuff in a shiny orange sequin bikini by Aci Nae.

Opa
1311 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.545.0170

Photos by Reese Amorosi for Glamorosi

To read more posts about food, tea, fashion, gardening and events: http://Glamorosi.blogspot.com

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Roberto Capucci - Philadelphia Museum of Art

L to R: Roberto Capucci, Reese Amorosi, A.D. Amorosi

By REESE AMOROSI

On June 2, 2011 my husband and I had the opportunity to meet legendary designer Roberto Capucci at a reception at the Philadelphia Museum of Art where city officials proclaimed Roberto Capucci Day. I was astounded by his Art Into Fashion installation at the museum - the beauty of Capucci's sculptural clothing designs brought tears to my eyes and made my hair stand on end. It was awe-inspiring.

The photo above shows Roberto Capucci, me (Reese Amorosi) and my husband A.D. Amorosi, and was taken by Mr. Capucci's interpreter. The photo at left was taken by A.D. and shows me standing with one of my favorite pieces, a gold and white gown titled Angelo d' Oro (gold angel).

There are only a few days left to see Mr. Capucci's designs in person; the exhibit runs through June 5, 2011. Tickets are required.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130
215.684.7822

To read more posts about food, tea, fashion, gardening and events: Glamorosi.blogspot.com

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Cooking Class at La Cucina at the Market - Reading Terminal - Philadelphia PA

By REESE AMOROSI

Growing up in an Italian family, I started cooking as a child, but I never felt comfortable with seafood. So, over the weekend I took a class called "Fish Without Fear" at La Cucina at the Market in the Reading Terminal here in Philadelphia, PA. The hands-on class was taught by Betty Kaplan, an engaging instructor who led us through four styles: sautéing, poaching, roasting and cooking en papillote (in paper). We also learned how to shop for and handle fish, how to locate and remove the bones, and a wealth of cooking tips and advice Ms. Kaplan gathered from her years working with gourmet chefs.